Tamperproof bottle locking system

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides for a tamperproof bottle locking system, comprising a flanged outer cap apparatus having a pair of pivoted semicircular arm members that when fully closed beneath the protruding circumferential neck ring of a bottle and locked with a detachable lock, by passing the unhinged end of a U-shaped shackle of the lock through the end holes of the arm members, swiveling it closed, and snapping it shut, securely locks the outer cap device of the present invention, preventing its removal, thereby protecting the contents of the bottle from being tampered with.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates primarily to a tamperproof bottle lockingsystem, and more particularly to a bottle locking apparatus that isretained by two pivoted members engaging below the threaded neck portionof the bottle and secured with a miniature, keyed lock.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There exists a plethora of child resistant caps, with thousands ofvariations in functionality and in design, as well as, bottle securitydevices that attach to the neck of a bottle. These types of protectivecaps may be typically utilized for securing medicines, vitamins andother materials stored in threaded neck containers.

The following prior art discloses the various aspects in the design anduse of bottle locking apparatuses.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,509,550, granted Apr. 23, 1996, to S. W. DeJonge,discloses a child resistant cap with automatic release key, where thechild resistant cap device is for containers with a threaded neckopenings. It includes an inner cap, an outer cap and a key bar. Theinner cap has a top and a sidewall having threads on its inside. Thesidewall has on its outside, one of a male attaching mechanism and afemale attaching mechanism for receiving and attaching the outer caponto the inner cap so as to be rotatably fixed thereon. The top of theinner cap has a release key engagement on its outside, and the outsideof the inner cap also has one way ratchets or ratchet blocks to permitengagement of the outer cap for rotating thereon, in a single, closingdirection and preventing engagement of them for rotating them in asingle, opposite, opening direction. The outer cap has a top and asidewall having on its inside the other of a male attaching mechanismand a female attaching mechanism. The top of the outer cap has a releasekey bar with a key that is pivotable for 180 degree rotation so as to beengageable with the key arrangement of the inner cap so as to permitopening of the inner cap by rotation of the outer cap when the releasekey is engaged in the release key engagement.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,602,530, granted Feb. 11, 1997, to B. Holmgren,discloses an anti-theft device for bottles, where the invention relatesto an anti-shop lifting device, intended to be passed onto and locked toa bottle-neck having an external circumferential bead. The devicecomprises an outer socket that can be shifted in relation to an innersocket between two end positions and is locked by latch means in one endposition. A number of retainers distributed peripherally on the innersurface of the outer socket, when the outer socket is in said one endposition extend into the inner socket through openings in the wall ofsaid inner socket to an engaged position in which the retainers engagebehind the bead of the bottle-neck in order to prevent theanti-shop-lifting device form being withdrawn. The latch means is biasedto latching position but can be actuated by means of an external elementto a disengaged position against the bias in order to allow movement ofthe retainers from the engaged position and thus withdrawal of theanti-shop-lifting device from the bottle-neck.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,769,252, granted Jun. 23, 1998, to A. S. Volpe,discloses a container closure which converts from a child resistant to anon-child resistant configuration, where the container closure can beconverted from a child resistant configuration to a non-child resistantconfiguration. The container closure includes an external cap, aninternal cap and a locking element. The locking element is insertedbetween the external cap and internal cap to form the non-childresistant configuration.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,769,557, granted Aug. 3, 2004, to R. L. Michael, et al.,discloses a bottle security device includes an inner member and an outermember that cooperate to lock the bottle security device on the neck ofa bottle. The inner member includes a plurality of fingers that areadapted to fit under the bead on a bottleneck. The inner member furtherincludes outwardly extending teeth. The outer sleeve member of thedevice slides over the inner member and forces the fingers against thebottle. The outer sleeve member further includes a plurality of upwardlyextending arms that have inwardly projecting teeth that engage the teethof the inner member to lock the two members together. A key is used toseparate the two pieces and release the security device from the bottle.The key extends down through the top of the outer sleeve member tophysically engage the upwardly extending arms and to move them radiallyoutward to where they disengage the inner member.

What is needed is a tamperproof bottle locking system comprising anapparatus that encloses a conventional cap onto the capped threaded neckof a bottle. In this regard, the present invention fulfils this need.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide atamperproof bottle locking apparatus that fully encompasses and securelyretains the cap of a bottle.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a tamperproofbottle locking apparatus that fully encompasses and securely retains thecap of a bottle by utilizing a miniature keyed lock.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide atamperproof bottle locking apparatus that fully encompasses and securelyretains the cap of a bottle by having two pivoted semicircular membersengage below the threaded neck portion of the bottle

It is still yet another object of the present invention to provide atamperproof bottle locking apparatus that is easily removed by unlockingand removing the keyed locking device, opening the pivoted semicircularmembers and removing the present invention.

A final object of the present invention is to provide a tamperproofbottle locking apparatus that can also be used as a security andantitheft device by imbedding a security device inside the outer cap onthe inner surface at the top of the present invention.

A better understanding of these and other objects and advantages of thepresent invention will be best understood from the following descriptionof the specific embodiments when read and understood in connection withthe accompanying drawings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates primarily to a tamperproof bottle lockingsystem, comprising a flanged outer cap apparatus having a pair ofpivoted semicircular arm members that when fully closed beneath theprotruding circumferential neck ring of a bottle and locked with adetachable lock, by passing the unhinged end of a U-shaped shackle ofthe lock through the end holes of the arm members, swiveling it closed,and snapping it shut, securely retains the outer cap device of thepresent invention, thereby protecting the contents of the bottle frombeing tampered with by securely locking it and preventing its removal.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A complete understanding of the invention may be obtained by referenceto the accompanying drawings when taken in conjunction with the detaileddescription.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the novel tamperproof bottle lockingsystem.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the novel tamperproof bottle-lockingcap, with the padlock removed.

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the novel tamperproofbottle-locking cap, with the padlock removed.

FIG. 4 is a top view of the novel tamperproof bottle locking cap.

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the bottle neck closure arms in a fullyextended position.

FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the bottle neck closure arms in the fullyclosed position.

FIG. 7 is a side view of the tamperproof bottle-locking cap captivatingthe inner bottle cap by having the closure arms fully closed around theneck below the protruding circumferential ring around the neck of thebottle.

FIG. 8 is a side sectional view of the tamperproof bottle-locking capcaptivating the inner bottle cap by having the closure arms fully closedaround the neck below the protruding circumferential ring around theneck of the bottle and having a security device adhered to the interiorsurface of the upper portion of the outer cap.

FIG. 9 discloses operation of the electronic article surveillance system(EAS) wherein a tag constructed of a steel magnetic ribbon, saturated bya magnetic flux, passes through a gate with a transmitter antenna signalto a receiver antenna, that triggers an alarm when a specific, uniquefrequency pattern, consequent to an interference of the tag is detectedand recognized.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

A system and apparatus are provided in accordance with the presentinvention to allow for the tamperproof protection of the contents of abottle. This device finds use for containers having capped, threadedneck openings, and preferably having a circumferential protruding neckring below the threaded portion, such as with vitamin bottles, medicinebottles, as well as bottles having contents that should be protectedfrom being used by children and the other individuals. The presentinvention then provides for an easy, as well as, economical installationof a protective apparatus to secure the contents of a bottle from beingtampered with by a young child or other persons, thereby rendering thesystem as being childproof and tamperproof.

Turning now to FIG. 1, there is shown the present invention, atamperproof bottle locking system 10, comprising the flanged outerbottle-locking cap 20, left and right pivoted semicircular members, 30and 40, the detachable padlock 50, and the secured threaded container,bottle 60. Shown in the locked tamperproof condition, the unhinged 70 ofthe U-shaped shackle 80 of detachable padlock 50 is passed through thealigned shackle holes 90, 90A and 90B, where the body 100 of the padlock50 is swiveled about the hinged end to align the shackle 80 for theproper closure of the padlock 50.

The lower cylindrical portion of the bottle-locking cap 20 is formedinto the flanged segment 130, where the semicircular locking members 30and 40 are secured beneath the flanged segment 130. A curved indentation110 into the flanged segment 130 allows the hole 90 in the base of theindented area on the flange to become aligned with the hole 90A locatedat the end of the right pivoted semicircular member 30 and hole 90Blocated at the end of the left pivoted semicircular member 40, where thesemicircular members 30 and 40 close beneath the protrudingcircumferential neck ring 140 of the bottle 60 and locked with adetachable lock 50, by passing the unhinged end 70 of a Unshaped shackle80 of the lock through the flange hole 90 and end holes of the armmembers 90A and 90B, swiveling it closed, and snapping it shut, tosecurely retain the outer cap device of the present invention.

There is shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, the tamperproof bottle-locking cap20 with the padlock, locking device 50 removed. The semicircular armmembers 30 and 40 are in fully closed position, with the shackle holes90, 90A and 90B in alignment.

FIG. 5 shows in a bottom view, the semicircular arm members 30 and 40 inan open extended position, whereas in FIG. 6 shows the semicircular armmembers 30 and 40 in the closed locking position.

Referring now to FIG. 7, there is shown in section, the outertamperproof locking cap 20 of the present invention securelyencompassing the inner cap 150 of a typical bottle 60. The semicirculararm members 30 and 40 are fully closed, with the end holes 90A and 90Bin alignment with hole 90, in a state of readiness to receive theunhinged shackle 70 of padlock 50. The semicircular arm members 30 and40 are positioned to engage each other below the protrudingcircumferential neck ring 140 of bottle 60.

In another aspect of the present invention, there is shown in FIG. 8,the preferred placement of a security device 160, where it is adhered tothe interior surface of the upper portion of the outer cap 20 of thepresent invention. In this manner, the present invention is augmentedinto being an anti-theft deterrent as well as being a tamperproofsystem, where it can be detected by anti-theft equipment should it passthrough the detector without being first removed.

The alarm system that coordinates with the magnetic tag is disclosed inFIG. 9. On the underside and inside of the Bottle Lock Cap 20, thesecurity device, is a tag which consists of a steel magnetic ribbon 160that has a high permeability, making it easy for magnetic signals toflow through it. When we drive the tag 160, magnetic flux is allowed toflow though the tag until it's saturated. Once it is saturated, from amagnetic perspective, it begins to look like, give the manifestation of,air.

The electromagnetic alarm system (EM) and electronic articlesurveillance (EAS) system 159 functions by applying intensive lowfrequency magnetic fields generated by the transmitter antenna 162. Whenthe activated strip passes through the gate, it will transmit a uniquefrequency patter. This pattern is, in turn, is picked up by an adjacentreceiver antenna 163. The small signal is processed and triggers analarm when a specific pattern, carried off by the strip, is detected andrecognized. Because of the weak response of the strip and the lowfrequency, typically between 70 Hz and 1 kHz, an intensive field isrequired by the EM system 159.

Once the strip 160 is activated, and it passes through an EM deter 161,which is a Swept-RF with a Swept Transmitter Signal, it will trigger analarm, alerting the store personnel that security had been breached.Removal of the bottle lock cap allows the that patron to exit—and thebottle lock cap is available for reuse without the need to reactivatethe locking cap 20.

Whereas the present invention is described in detail for its particularembodiments, there may be other variations and modifications that willbecome parent to those skilled in the art upon reading thisspecification, and that these modifications or variations can be madewithout detracting from the true spirit of this invention.

1. A tamperproof bottle locking apparatus for containers having capped,threaded neck openings and a circumferential protruding neck ring belowthe threaded portion, the apparatus comprising a flanged outerbottle-locking cap with left and right semicircular members that arepivotally connected together on a hinged end and further pivotallyconnected to the outer bottle-locking cap, each unhinged end of the twopivot members having a shackle hole and the outer bottle-locking caphaving a curved indentation into a flanged segment of the cap with ahole in the base of the indentation, wherein the pivot members close inan overlap engagement below the threaded neck portion of the bottle, therespective shackle holes align with the hole in the base, and thetamperproof locking cap securely encompasses the container neck wheneach arm member is swiveled closed, an end of a U-shaped lock shackle ispassed through the base hole on the indentation and the end hole of eacharm member, and the lock is snapped shut, wherein the tamperproof bottlelocking apparatus encircles the container neck and the bottle contentsare protected from tampering by a miniature keyed padlock preventing itsremoval; wherein a cylindrical portion of the bottle locking cap isformed into the flanged segment and the pivot members are secured toeach other and secured to the flanged cap in two locations beneath theflanged segment for security of the container; the tamperproof bottlelocking apparatus further comprising in combination a security deviceintegrated with the flanged outer bottle locking cap, the securitydevice detectable by an anti-theft equipment when passed through adetector; wherein the security device comprises a tag of steel magneticribbon with a high permeability that facilitates a flow of magneticsignals through the tag and an electromagnetic alarm system (EM) thatcoordinates with the magnetic tag; wherein the tag is saturated with amagnetic flux that provides the tag with an activated strip having, froma magnetic perspective, an appearance or manifestation of air; whereinthe EM includes an electronic article surveillance (EAS) system thatapplies an intensive low frequency magnetic field generated by atransmitter antenna to a receiver antenna in a unique frequency pattern,which is altered when the activated strip with its unique transmittedfrequency pattern passes through the field, a signal is processed andtriggers an alarm when the frequency pattern, carried by the strip, isdetected and recognized.
 2. A tamperproof bottle locking apparatus forcontainers as defined in claim 1, wherein the security device isimbedded inside the outer cap.
 3. The tamperproof bottle lockingapparatus for containers as defined in claim 2, wherein removal of thebottle locking apparatus from the container allows a patron to exit,whereupon the security device of the bottle lock cap is available forreuse without a need to reactivate the strip.